We have all heard about the Great Wall of China, seen many pictures of it too. Most of us have heard the tale that the astronauts in space can see The Great Wall of China traced along the mountain's back like a dragon's tail.
It isn't true they say. Though myth has a way of grabbing hold of the heart and mind allowing us to see things we believe, or long to be true.
I want to believe it as true.
The moment I saw it I couldn't move, not because of my foot, but because it was far more stunning than I thought it could be. Like many others, I gasped. The Great Wall was more than I expected. Overwhelmingly an amazing feat.
It is the eighth wonder of the world.
A few facts:
–The length of the Great Wall built over the last 2,000 years is approximately 31,070 miles (50,000 km). Earth's circumference is 24,854 miles (40,000 km).
–It is common to hear that the mortar used to bind the stones was made from human bones or that men are buried within the Great Wall to make it stronger. However, the mortar was actually made from rice flour—and no bones, human or otherwise, have ever been found in any of the Great Wall.
The stairs, plenty of them, and more often than naught they are straight up.
I walked the Great Wall of China, or I should say I was an ant on the Great Wall of China.
My foot held out. I took it slow. I walked for about a mile or two.
The path along the Great Wall can be uneven,
The ledge can be an easier route to take, if you are not afraid of heights that is.
If you have vertigo… you might not consider hiking along the wall.
Chelsea and I did the ledge, French Husband did the stairs on this part of the wall at least.
The Great Wall literally follows the outline of the rugged mountain top. If the mountain is straight up, it is straight up. Never does it take the easy way, instead it is as if it is a ribbon laced out… sometimes narrow, sometimes wider, often steep, curvaceous, fluid wonder…
We were at the Great Wall for nearly four hours. We stayed together most of the time, eventually the two of them raced ahead, I was glad they did and wished I could have followed them.
The three of us agreed we would like to hike the Great Wall at lenght. Each turn, vista, tower, stair made us want to see more… They walked ahead, as I watched them grow smaller and smaller, as The Great Wall of China grew on and on in our hearts.
The Great Wall of China was the highlight of our trip. Our only regret was that Sacha could not have joined us, as he lost his passport… I wonder who he takes after?
Notes:
We took a bus organized by a man who owns Tang Ren Tea House, click here for the link.
We went to the section of the Great Wall called: Jinshanling it is less touristic, and not completely restored. It is about three hours away from Beijing. Very few people were there, it was as we had the wall to ourselves.
On this part of the trail you can walk to the next town about ten miles away. Though at this moment that part of the wall is being restored and closed off to tourist. Water, and food are sold on and at the Great Wall by local farmers.
….Thank you for your concern and thoughtful advice regarding my foot. My mom and a few readers thought I should not have shown it online, but since many of you had asked about it and were aware of it, I thought you might want to see how ugly it looked. My blog is a personal blog after all.
I am being careful regarding my foot. I use French Husband's and Chelsea's arm most of the time. I plan on having it checked, though I believe it is not broken. I do not have a high tolerence for pain, are you kidding I am a wimp!
Thank you for your caring friendship, and for thinking I am tough cookie. What a compliment when really I am a marshmellow.
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